Silversword
Silversword is a fantasy role-playing game created by Mario J. Gaida in 2010–2011.[1] It was released for the iOS operating system on 13 January 2012 and is available for the Apple iPad and iPhone.[2]
Gaida modeled Silversword after the 1980s Bard's Tale series of games, but provided a new storyline and plot.[3] It retains the dungeon crawl character of the Bard's Tale series. It also integrates some of the mechanics of the original Dungeons & Dragons game, specifically, armor classes and the use of dice rolls (e.g., d20) to determine random factors within the game.[4] Silversword received generally positive reviews upon release.
Story
The game takes place in the fantasy world of Tarnak, which is now running wild with dangerous monsters and bands of thieves. Players control a band of adventurers (created at the beginning or by using the party provided with the game) who use the Castle Cranbourgh as their base of operations at the outset. The adventurers' mission is to carve a path to the last free city in the land, Annsharbour, to lift the siege that has been placed on it. On the way, the party must explore various dungeons and towers while accomplishing tasks that stand in their way.[5]
Gameplay
Parties comprise up to seven possible characters which are created at the start of the game. Seven races are available for players to choose from: barbarians, dwarves, elves, gnomes, hobbits, humans, and high-men, all with different characteristics that affect gameplay.[6] Including magic-users, there are eleven character classes that can be built upon a chosen race, (1) non-magical: bard, hunter, monk, paladin, rogue, warrior, and (2) magical: archmage, conjurer, magician, sorcerer, and wizard.[7] Character attributes include constitution, dexterity, intelligence, luck, and strength.
Many elements of gameplay from the 1980s Bard's Tale games are evident in Silversword.[8] For example, the dungeon crawl character remains. The magic system is also similar, and the magic user classes—archmage, conjurer, magician, sorcerer, and wizard—seen in the Bard's Tale II are seen in Silversword.[9] Nostalgic Bard's Tale players will also see some familiar faces in the game, such as "Roscoe", who ran an energy emporium for recharging spell units in the Bard's Tale I and Bard's Tale II games.[10] During the game, players are faced with a number of riddles, traps, and puzzles—familiar gameplay features to the veteran Bard's Tale adventurer.[11]
Reviews
The game received an 8.7 out of 10 by Gamepro.de.[12] FreeAppsArcade.com called the game a "classically inspired RPG" that is "nothing short of a narrative masterpiece".[13]
References
- ^ Gaida, Mario J. Silversword Compendium. p. 6.
- ^ Gamepro.de. "Spannendes Retro-Rollenspiel im Stil von The Bard´s Tale". Gamepro.de. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ Mario J. Gaida. "Silversword: The Game". Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ Mario J. Gaida. "Silversword: The Game". Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ Gamepro.de. "Spannendes Retro-Rollenspiel im Stil von The Bard´s Tale". Gamepro.de. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ Mario J. Gaida. "Silversword: The Races". Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ Mario J. Gaida. "Silversword: The Classes". Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ Gamepro.de. "Spannendes Retro-Rollenspiel im Stil von The Bard´s Tale". Gamepro.de. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ Gamepro.de. "Spannendes Retro-Rollenspiel im Stil von The Bard´s Tale". Gamepro.de. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ .Gamepro.de. "Spannendes Retro-Rollenspiel im Stil von The Bard´s Tale". Gamepro.de. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ Mario J. Gaida. "Silversword: The Game". Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ Gamepro.de. "Spannendes Retro-Rollenspiel im Stil von The Bard´s Tale". Gamepro.de. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ "Silversword Review". FreeAppsArcade.com. 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.